Sump flow setup question

[mikesmith34]

Actually those figures seem about right in regards to my 1" return pipe and 3/4 inch emergency pipe. The pic you put up is pretty much the exact pic I used to set the thing up. The 1" line drops straight out of the bottom into the return sump where my skimmer is. I did put a valve in the line to be able to adjust if need be. I still need to get the bag under the return line as I ran out of time during the install. I will try and post a pic of yhe set up.

Edit:

Edit:

Edit: I freakin give up on posting more than one pic

Edit: Drain

Edit: Sump

Edit: Full view. You will notice I used flex(somewhat) line so that I can move it around a little bit to work in and around the sump.
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[ghbrewer]

Your loosing a good amount of flow due to the three 90 degree bends and that length of horizontal pipe coming off the return pump. Replacing this piping with flexible PVC or Vinyl pipe with no bends or horizontal portions will increase your flow. This is of course all moot if you exceed the flow capacities of your drains.

 

[mikesmith34]

It really wasn't the drain line that couldn't keep up it was the sump. Water starts too pile up in yhe skimmer and fuge area. If I crank the return pipe wide open it drains the return area almost to the cavitation point. SO I backed off the return pump to about 75-80% and it seems to balance out pretty well. It has been level since I started this post. My hopes were to have the return pump at 100% it just didn't work out with the setup as it is. In all actuality I gained 25-30% flow increase. Before the herbie I could only run the pump at 50 before it made the horrible flushing noise. Thanx for your help bro

 

[ghbrewer]

No problem. But just to clarify, your return can only pump what it is supplied. So, if your drain cannot keep up with your return pump, your sump is not receiving enough flow from the drain. That is why the water level in the return area in your sump is draining down.

Edit: That, or you have a blockage somewhere in your sump that is choking the flow rate down. (Maybe a clogged sponge or something stuffed btwn. the baffles?) But, I would still lean more towards an inadequate drain pipe.

 

[mikesmith34]

I think you are on to something with the sump sponges or baffles being clogged. Imagine if you will yhe area with the skimmer is way high in water. Like 2-3 inches from the top of the sump and the return pump area almost dried up. I need to reduce return line a little with the valve to achieve full siphon and make micro adjustments from there. I believe your statement of water flow through the sump being slowed down from being clogged up be correct!!

 

[ghbrewer]

If that's the case, I would just pull out whatever is stuffed in-between the baffles and see how much you can increase the flow from the return pump. (Just be sure to adjust the drain valve accordingly.)

That may be what you were saying you were going to do.

Edit: Your water level in your skimmer area and fuge area should be at the same level. So, if not, then check for blockage between there as well.

 

[mikesmith34]

Got it will do this weekend. thanx

 

[pkaugusta]

OK . I got my eshopps overflow kit its PF 1000 (rated for 150 gallon) and the lower one was rated for less than my tank capacity I think. The instructions which comes with it is not that great. Nothing about the type of plumbing supplies I have to buy etc. Is there a good guide for beginners ?

 

[ghbrewer]

PKAugusta;965323 wrote: OK . I got my eshopps overflow kit its PF 1000 (rated for 150 gallon) and the lower one was rated for less than my tank capacity I think. The instructions which comes with it is not that great. Nothing about the type of plumbing supplies I have to buy etc. Is there a good guide for beginners ?

Just google or search youtube for how to setup an external overflow. There is a lot of information about how to do this on the web. I will try and dig up some good links later this evening.
Bulk reef supply has some videos.